Putin Praises Kim’s Troops: Ukraine Shocked

The flag of Russia waving against a clear blue sky

A controversial summit strengthens ties between Russia and North Korea, raising alarms over the erosion of international norms.

Story Highlights

Putin and Kim exchanged lavish gifts, including a Russian-made limousine.
Putin publicly thanked North Korean troops for aiding Russian forces in Ukraine.
The summit signifies deepening military cooperation despite Western sanctions.
International scrutiny grows over North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s conflict.

Russia-North Korea Alliance: A Growing Concern

During a high-profile summit in Pyongyang on June 18–19, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un demonstrated their growing alliance. Not only did they exchange lavish gifts such as a Russian-made Aurus limousine, but Putin also publicly thanked Kim for North Korean troops’ alleged support in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. This summit signifies a bold defiance of Western sanctions and an alarming deepening of military cooperation between the two isolated regimes.

Background context reveals that Russia and North Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since the Cold War, with cooperation levels fluctuating over the years. Both nations are heavily sanctioned by the West, Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for its nuclear weapons program. The recent summit is a calculated move by both leaders to counteract Western isolation and bolster their strategic positions. This growing alliance not only challenges Western influence but also raises significant concerns about the erosion of international norms.

Key Stakeholders and Motivations

The primary figures in this alliance are Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Putin, facing increasing isolation, seeks new allies and support for his war efforts, while Kim aims to elevate North Korea’s international standing and secure economic and military benefits. The transactional relationship is marked by mutual benefit and shared opposition to Western influence. While Russia holds the senior position economically and militarily, North Korea offers unique leverage with its willingness to defy Western norms.

Decision-makers and influencers, including Kremlin officials and the North Korean Politburo, are driving this partnership, leveraging their combined forces for strategic, economic, and military gains. The international community watches warily as this alliance poses new challenges to global stability and security.

Implications and Global Impact

The short-term outcomes of this summit include increased diplomatic and military cooperation, which symbolically defies Western sanctions. Long-term implications could involve expanded arms deals, technology transfers, and a coordinated opposition to Western interests. This partnership affects not only the Ukrainian forces but also the citizens of Russia and North Korea, who may face intensified sanctions and international scrutiny.

The economic, social, and political impacts are significant. Economically, there is potential for the circumvention of sanctions and increased trade in sanctioned goods. Socially, both regimes may use this alliance for propaganda, boosting nationalism within their borders. Politically, the strengthening of authoritarian alliances erodes Western influence in the region, presenting new challenges for NATO, the US, and EU alliances.